'noles Poised For Spot In Bcs, But Stay Tuned

Acc Picture Still Muddled

Virginia's 14-9 upset of N.C. State last week did wonders for the Cavaliers' bowl outlook, but it helped muddle the ACC's postseason picture going into the final full weekend of conference games.

A team-by-team look at where they stand:

* Florida State (8-3, 7-0). The Seminoles have clinched a tie for their 10th championship in 11 years and can win outright Saturday with either a victory over N.C. State or a Maryland loss at Virginia. Though FSU is in the driver's seat for a Bowl Championship Series spot, it isn't a given.

If the Seminoles lose and the Terrapins win Saturday, they would wind up tied for first place. FSU defeated Maryland in September, but if the Terps finish more than five spots higher in the final BCS standings, they would win the tie-breaker. If the Seminoles lose their remaining games (N.C. State and Florida) and the Terps win out, that could happen.

* Maryland (9-2, 5-1). Assuming Florida State takes the title, Maryland is almost certain to land in the Gator Bowl as the ACC runner-up. The likely opponent: Pittsburgh.

* Virginia (7-4, 5-2). A victory over Maryland coupled with an N.C. State loss guarantees the Cavaliers either the Gator or Peach. But if Virginia doesn't get that scenario, the second-tier bowls aligned with the ACC -- the Tangerine, Seattle and Continental Tire -- join the mix.

* N.C. State (9-3, 4-3). A week ago, the Wolfpack appeared to be Peach Bowl-bound. It made sense, right down to the game's president being a former State basketball player. It still might happen, but if not look for the Pack to slip to the Tangerine.

* Georgia Tech (7-4, 4-4). You can rule out Seattle, the Yellow Jackets' bowl game last year, and the Peach, which wouldn't want its hometown school for the second time in three years. That leaves the Continental Tire and Tangerine.

* Clemson (6-5, 4-4). Word is the Continental Tire in nearby Charlotte figures the Tigers will draw a nice crowd in its inaugural game. But they might be shipped to Seattle because, well, somebody has to go.

* Wake Forest (5-5, 3-4). The Demon Deacons close next week at Maryland, so defeating Navy on Saturday is a must to be bowl eligible. Wake is almost certain to be the odd-man-out here, but the conference office hopes to find a spot elsewhere.